HISD student artwork featured at SAMA

Students, parents and teachers enjoyed a day full of art, music and dance during the San Antonio Museum of Art (SAMA) Harlandale Family Day held on Feb. 4.

Families celebrated the rich diversity of cultures in the Americas through thought-provoking art activities reflecting the museum’s Latin American, Asian-Pacific American and African American artworks.

One of the exhibits, “Enmascarados y Enmascaradas,” featured the work of Columbia Heights Elementary School students, showcasing a total of 102 pieces.

“Our students created mixed media paintings and drawings on watercolor paper about two meaningful and relevant ideas,” Columbia Heights art teacher Noe Garza said. “We integrated their personal experiences in the barrio and the lucha libre mask, which is prevalent in our Mexican heritage and derives from the luchadores and luchadoras such as Mil Mascaras, El Blue Demon and El Santo.”

During the event, students and visitors had the opportunity to explore the museum halls and participate in a variety of hands-on activities, including painting, drawing, sculpting and collage-making. Families also experienced youth dance performances from India to celebrate Asian culture.

“Harlandale families toured the historic museum observing its engaging art,” Garza added. “Our children learned that art can be created in endless forms using unique tools and media.”

Garza thanked SAMA Education Coordinator Jessica Nelson and her staff for organizing this event. He hopes that families and students continue to visit SAMA in the future as he believes art is a major component of creative development.